Western Washington University
OP-6: Food and Beverage Purchasing

Aramark’s Commitments and Goals for 2012:
University Dining has committed to doing the following by year’s end:
• Offer Fair Trade / Rainforest Alliance Coffee available at all locations
• Ensure Composting at all locations
• Implement Zero Waste Dining Commons (Ridgeway, Viking and Fair Haven)
• Implement Zero Waste Catering Events
• Utilize 100% recycled content materials in to-go containers
• Reduce utility usage 10 percent by using EnergyStar appliances in dining facilities
• Use local foods organizations such as Charlie’s Produce and Growing Washington
• Support students local favorite selections
• Host quarterly waste audits with student participation
• Complete Sustainability Assessment (within 90 days)
• Offer monthly newsletters to update, communicate and educate our progress
• Implement a Green Captain Student Program.
Aramark’s Green Thread Philosophy
At ARAMARK Higher Education, we have a deep respect for and commitment to protecting and improving the environment. Aramark is committed to long-term environmental stewardship programs and policies within the areas of sustainable food, responsible procurement, green buildings, energy and water conservation, transportation, and waste stream management. We work to reduce our environmental footprint while delivering exceptional operational results, and offer expertise along with practical solutions for our campus partners to help them reduce their environmental impacts. The company refers to these programs and policies as “Green Thread” woven into their business operations.
Green Thread promotes sustainable practices within six categories or “pillars of stewardship”:
• Sustainable Foods
• Green Buildings
• Waste Stream Management
• Responsible Procurement
• Energy and Water Conservation
• Transportation
Sustainable Food
We understand the vital importance of food in our daily lives and interactions. Our food choices have a significant impact on our health, our culture, and the natural environment in local and global economies. As an organization we are committed to strengthening our existing network and beginning new connections that make positive transitions from field to fork. We in the business of changing the culture of food by nourishing our guests with menus that emphasize fresh whole foods. These foods are grown and harvested locally and sustainably wherever possible and are prepared in ways that respect and maintain quality, freshness, and pureness.

ARAMARK Higher Education’s National Commitment to Affect Positive Sustainable Change
As part of their environmental stewardship program Aramark develops unique solutions for campus partners that support environmental commitments in every one of the 500+ Higher Education accounts they serve. Aramark calls these global commitments Green Stakes™ - our stakes in the ground, and our national commitments to affect change. The stakes include:

1. Energy and Water conservation program at each campus
2. Only purchasing paper products with recycled content
3. Using Green Cleaning products
4. Diverting 100 percent of the fryer oil waste
5. Increasing sustainable food options to consumers by 5 percent annually

Aramark works with the following sustainable food organizations:

USDA Organic: USDA's National Organic Program regulates the standards for any farm, wild crop harvesting, or handling operation that wants to sell an agricultural product as organically produced.
Seafood Watch: A program of Monterey Bay Aquarium designed to raise consumer awareness about the importance of buying seafood from sustainable sources. We recommend which seafood to buy or avoid, a service that helps consumers to become advocates for environmentally friendly seafood.
The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. Companies, cooperatives, and landowners that participate in our programs meet rigorous standards to conserve biodiversity and provide sustainable livelihoods.
The Fair Trade Certified™ guarantees consumers that strict economic, social and environmental criteria were met to produce and trade a particular agriculture product. Fair Trade Certification is currently available in the U.S. for coffee, tea and herbs, cocoa and chocolate, fresh fruit, flowers, sugar, rice, and vanilla.
Food Alliance is a nonprofit organization that promotes sustainable agriculture by recognizing and rewarding farmers who produce food in environmentally friendly and socially responsible ways, and educating consumers and others in the food system about the benefits of sustainable agriculture.